SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) is an infection in which affected individuals develop a fever, followed by respiratory symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. In some cases, the respiratory symptoms become increasingly severe, necessitating oxygen support and mechanical ventilation. Other symptoms of SARS include muscle aches, headaches, and sore throat.
The cause of SARS remains unknown. The disease can be caught and passed on by anyone, regardless of their cultural identity or background. The only requirement for contracting SARS is by direct, close contact with an affected individual.
To date, SARS cases in Canada are concentrated in Toronto and appear not to be increasing significantly in number.
At this time, the only identified risk factors are recent travel to affected countries in Asia (China, Hong Kong, Taiwan or Singapore), or close contact with a person who has SARS. “Close contact” includes living in the same household, providing health care to someone with SARS, or having direct contact with respiratory secretions and body fluids of a person with SARS.
As with many diseases, the young, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems are at most risk for contracting SARS and for developing more severe symptoms.
Prevention of Sars
Practising good personal hygiene is a key to stopping the spread of this disease. Thorough hand-washing - using hot, soapy water and lathering for at least 20 seconds - is the single most important procedure for preventing infections. The micro-organisms that cause SARS can remain alive on hard surfaces such as a table or door handle for 24 hours or longer.
At press time, Health Canada is not recommending masks for the general public. The only exception would be if a person has come into close contact with someone who has SARS.
If you develop high fever and cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing and in the last 10 days you have either travelled in an affected area or had contact with a known SARS case, you should seek medical advice. The ministries of health in each province have established their own guidelines with respect to the appropriate medical contact. In British Columbia call the B.C. Nurse Line at 1-866-215-4700 (or 604-215-4700 in the Lower Mainland); in Alberta call your family doctor or your health region’s health information line before going to an emergency room or a doctor’s office, and in Saskatchewan call ahead to your family doctor or nearest hospital and proceed there as soon as possible.